Ophthalmic mounting



Dec. 3, 1940. L. GAGNON QPHTHALMIC MOUNTING Filed Jan 5, 195a I NVENTOR Laws 1,. GHGNON.

Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE American Optical Company,

Southbridge,

Mass, a voluntary association of Massachusetts Application January 3, 1938, Serial No. 182,934 '7 Claims. (01. 88-47) This invention relates to improvements in ence to lens holding means of the type which is adapted to be yieldingly supported on the lenses.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide lens holding means of the above character with resilient means having a plurality of resilient sections which are positively supported with the major portions thereof held in spaced aligned relation with each other with substantially only the ends of one of said resilient sections engaging the other of said sections and with only the ends of the resilient section nearest the lens engaging the edge of the lens.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for holding said resilient sections in aligned superimposed relation with each other.

Another object is to provide improved means of assembling and attaching the resilient means to the lens holding means.

Another object is to provide improved means of forming resilient means of the above character wherein said resilient sections will be retained in sliding interlocked relation with each other and with the portion overlying the edge of the lens.

Another object is to provide resilient means of the above character with the various resilient sections thereof having different degrees of resiliency.

Other objects and advantages of the invention should become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction, and arrangement of parts shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the [accompanying claims. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction, and arrangement of parts shown and described as the preferred forms are given only by way of illustration.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. I is a front elevation of an ophthalmic mounting embodying the invention.

Fig. II is a fragmentary sectional View of one form of lens strap or lens holding means embodying the invention.

Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. II of another form of lens strap embodying the invention.

Fig. IV is a view similar to Fig. III of another form of lens strap embodying the invention.

Fig. V is a side elevation, shown partially in section, of a modified form of attaching means for securing the resilient means to the lens strap.

Fig. VI is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the invention showing the parts disunited; and

Fig. VII is a view similar to Fig. III of another modified form of the invention.

Lens holding means or lens straps having resilient lens edge engaging means are not new in the art, but much difficulty has been encountered, in the past, in providing suitable means for securing'the resilient means to the lens holding means so that the said resilient means will be properly supported and held with the various resilient sections thereof in desired aligned relation with each other.

It, therefore, is one of the primary objects of this invention to provide novel means and methods of forming and securing the resilient sections to the lens holding means whereby the said resilient sections will be retained in positive relation with the lens holding means and in proper aligned superimposed relation with each other during use.

Referring .more particularly to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the device embodying the invention comprises broadly a pair of lenses I connected by a suitable bridge member 2 secured to said lenses by lens straps or lens holding means 3., Suitable temples 4 are also secured to the lenses l by means of the lens holding means or lens straps 5 and are adapted to cooperate with the bridge member 2 to hold the lenses in proper position before the eyes.

The lens straps 3 and 5 are adapted to be pivot- 4 ally connected to the lenses, as shown at 6 and I, and are resiliently limited in their pivotal movement by resilient means 8 and 9 which embody the invention. y

The lens holding means 3, as shown in Fig. III, comprises a lens face engaging portion I0 pivot ally connected at l to the lens I and a portion 1 I which overlies the edge of the lens. The portion overlying the edge of the lens provides attaching means to which the resilient means 9 is secured by a suitable headed pin or the like [2. The resilient means 9, in this particular instance, comprises two superimposed resilient sections [3 and H! but it is to be understood that two xorlmore resilient sections may be used as desired. r

The pin 12 is provided with an intermediate shouldered portion l5 which functions as means for positively holding the resilient sections l3 and I4 'in spaced relation with each other. The re-- silient section I4 is so cupped as to cause the ends I6 thereof to engage the outer, surface of the resilient section I3 and the said resilient section I3 is so cupped as to cause its ends H to engage the edge of the lens. In this particular instance the section I4 normally has a greater degree of cupping than the section I3. The pin I2 is provided with -a' reduced extension I8 which is'fi-tted within a'suitable opening formedi'nthe portion II overlying the edge of the lens and may be secured therein by friction or by threading, sol- 5 dering or welding the said extension I8 in said opening. The resilient section I3 is held against the shoulder portion I5 by-heading overtheerid I9. This heading over may be perffor 'med either-- before or after the pin memberIZ is secured-to the portion II overlying the edge of the lens. In this particular instance the openingsjnthe resilient means through which the reduced portions H of the pin member I2 extend, are preferably formed square or rectangular in shape j with the aid re u d. po tions S mi ha ed-Wm a openings; so as to hold the resilientsectionsin proper aligned relation with each other during use. It is particularly pointed out that the portion II overlying the edge of thelens is formed relatively Short in the direction following the edge oft'heflensso as to enable'a relatively. free flexing of the resilient sections I3 andI4 throughout the rnaj or portion of their lengths during use. When in secured position the shouldered portion I5,holds the resilient; sections I3 and- I4 in g ven spaced-relation witheach otherand prevents any movement thereoi longitudinally of the pin memberIZduringuse. I v In there is shown thehigh position lens strap-5 whichalso has a portion?!) overlying a face of the lens and pivotallysejcured to'said lens as illustrated at I5 'The means for pivotally'con necting the lens strap 3 or 5;'to the lens may be of any of the commercially ki'iown solder locked'or threaded types, Ijhe l'ens strap 5' alsohas a;.fpor-' tion 2I overlying the edge of the lns'and'isprovidedon the upper side thereof with aiprojection fig-to which the resilient means '8 are secured by apinimember 23 generally similar in construction and function as the pin member "I2. The pin member: 23. like thepin mem er-: 2," is secured within asuitabl e opening formed in jthepro'je'c tion 22 and is. so positionedon the projection 22 as to provide an equal degree offflexing on "either side of the pivotal connection 6. "The resilient means in this instance .also comprises two super imposed resilient sections 24 and 25 having characteristics generallysimilarl to the resilient secti ons I3 andI I. I A' It is to-be understood that the said sections I3 and I4 or :24 and 25, respectiv mmay be formed to different degrees of resiliency. j, 1, To provide free flexing of the'lower 'endsofthe resilient sections '24 and 25 the portion ZI over lying-the edge ofl'the lens is cut away asillustrat ed at 26. 4 e j In Fig. II there is illustrated a slightly -modi- 6 5 fied form ,of the invention Whereina highposimajor portion of the attaching face 28, to which the resilient means 29 having generally the same characteristics as the: resilient ineans '8 and 9 aresecured, lies above a horizontal line-30 ex- N tending through thepivotalconhection 3 I- to the lens. Thepin 32 in this particular instance has the same characteristics and functions in the same manner as the pins I2 or 23.

In Fig. V there is shown a slight modification of pin member 32 Which, instead of havingfa shouldered portion such as called for at I5, in Fig. III, the said pin member is provided with a suitable collar 34 which functions generally similar to the shouldered portion I5. "In this particular instance the pin 32 is-providedwith an collar 34 is provided with a rectangular opening wh'ic'hhas a snug fit with the body portion of the pi-nmember during use. A plurality of collars of and its function is illustrated in Fig. VII wherein the resilient section 31 is secured between the head; of the attaching means 38 and collar 39 and the resilient section 40. is held between the coll 3. a PI i ll lens st n r Win th qq the l thi an a. instance the resilient sections; 31 and -40- are provided. with longitudinal grooves 42 anus; The resilient section 41! is provided with deflected ends 44 whichare adapted to slidably engage the resilien'tl section 3? within the longitudinal g ro ove 42 and prevent disalignment of said sections ing use. A The portion 4| venymg theedgefofthe lensis also provided; with projections 45 which slidably engage the resilient section 40"internally of the longitudinal groove: 43"and ten dstoyieldingly support the said se ction 4O and simmers ously-prevent twisting; thereof; smems'e' on the connecting means 38 during" use. The portion overlying the edge of the lens is shown vasg lc eing provided with a curved i supporting face but it is to be understood that this'face maybe. formed fiat or to any practical shape desired. Fig VI there. is shown another modified form of the in-. vention where instead .of..formingTlongitudinal grooveswhich eiite'nd "partially through [the resilientsectionssuchas shown at 42fari'd .43..tl'1e said resilient sections 41 and 48 are'providdTvI/fith longitudinal slots 49 and 50 in which uthelprojectio ns' 5I. ;and 52" are. adapted to. be'sli'dably fitted; In this" particular instancejthe ip'ortion 53which overliesthe edge of thelen's is provided with a rectangular pin -member- 54 whichsis adapted to be fitted within the rectangular openings 55 and 56 of the respective resilient sections 4'I and 48 which are secured to said portion53 overlying the jedge of the lens by heading .over the pin member 54.- A spacing. collar suchflas shown at';39"rnay or may not' be used as desired and the res'ilient sections 41 and may be pro- .vided with the same or different degrees of cup; ping... I Q. l.-. It isto be understood that the construc, ions shown in Figs'jvI and .VII are, to befus'jed'with a lens strap pivotally attached to thelens ma manner similar to the; above described lens straps. It maybe desirable to use theresilierrt means embodying the invention andthe various "modifioations thereof with'a lens strap having a 'single lens face: engaging portion, formedpwith a resilient section intermediate its .end" 'attached to the lens .andthe portion thereof ovierly'ingi'the edgefiof t'he lens'to permit flexing oftsa'idiportion overlying the edge'of theilens in. 'adirec'tion transverselytb'the plane'o'f thelens simultaneous to the'fiexingi'of the-resilient=means'iengaging theedge of the lens in .theplanelof said :lens..- In

the latter instance the resiliency'of thevarious resilient portions will be carefully balanced so as'to cause the lens holding means to normally assume a 'd'esiredaligne'd relation with the lens. It is to' be understood that attaching means for'the resilient sections of the type illustrated at I 2 in Fig; III or at 38-in Fig. VII may be used with any of the'above constructions.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple, efficient and economicalmeans have been provided for accomplishing all of the objects and advantages of the invention particularly that of providing resilient means having a plurality of resilient sections supported so that the said sections engage each other and the edge of the lens only adjacent the ends of said sections and that novel means have been provided for holding the sections in positive spaced relation with each other and in positive aligned superimposed relation with each other during use.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Lens holding means for use with a lens comprising a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens having a projection thereon, a plurality of resilient members each formed with a longitudinal groove in one face thereof, one of said resilient members being fitted to said portion overlying the edge of the lens with the projection on said portion fitting within the longitudinal groove of said resilient member and another resilient member being fitted to said last named resilient member with the ends of said last named resilient member fitting within the longitudinal groove thereof and means for securing said resilient members to said portion overlying the edge of the lens in this relation.

2. Lens holding means for use with a lens comprising a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens having a projection thereon, a plurality of resilient members each formed with a'longitudinal groove inone face thereof, one of said resilient members being fitted to said portion overlying the edge of the lens with the projection on said portion fitting within the longitudinal groove of said resilient member and another resilient member being fitted to said last named resilient member with the ends of said last named resilient member fitting within the longitudinal groove thereof, means for securing said resilient members to said portion overlying the edge of the lens in this relation and means for holding said resilient members in positive spaced relation with each other intermediate their ends.

3. Lens holding means for use with a lens comprising a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens having a projection thereon, a plurality of resilient members each formed with a longitudinal groove in one face thereof, one of said resilient members being fitted to said portion overlying the edge of the lens with the projection on said portion fitting within the longitudinal groove of said resilient member and another resilient member being fitted to said last named resilient member with the ends of said last named resilient member fitting within the longitudinal groove thereof, means for securing said resilient members to said portion overlying the edge of the lens in this relation and sleeve means positioned on said securing means between said resilient members for holding the said resilient members in positive spaced relation with each other intermediate the ends thereof.

' 4. Lens holding'means for use with a lens comprising a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens having a projecti0n thereon, a plurality of resilient members each formed with guide means on one face thereof, means separate of said projection for securing said resilient members to said portion adapted to overlies the edge of the lens, one of said resilient members attached to said portion overlying the edge of the lens having the projection on said portion fitting said guide means on said resilient member and another of said resilient members when in secured relation with said portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and when assembled with said lens being fitted to said last named resilient member with the ends of said last named resilient member formed to fit the guide means thereof.

5. Lens holding means for use with a lens comprising a portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and a portion adapted to overlie a face of the lens, said portion overlying the edge of the lens. having a projection thereon, a plurality of resilient members each formed with guide means on one face thereof, means separate of said projection for securing said resilient members to said portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens, one of said resilient members at tached to said portion overlying the edge of the lens having the projection on said portion fitting said guide means on said resilient member and another of said resilient members when in secured relation with said portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and when assembled with said lens being fitted to said last named resilient member with the ends of said last named resilient member formed to fit the guide means thereof, and a spacer member between said resilient members for holding the intermediate portions thereof in positive spaced relation with each oth- 6. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a pair of lenses, and lens holding means for connecting the associated parts of the mounting with said lenses, said lens holding means comprising a portion overlying a face of the lens and a portion overlying the edge of the lens having an attachment seat thereon, a plurality of resilient members of varying lengths secured to said attachment seat of the portion overlying the edge of the lens with means between the intermediate portions of said resilient members for positively spacing said intermediate portions relative to each other and with the ends of said resilient members being free to flex independently of each other and with one of said resilient members having a guide surface on one face thereof engaged by another of said resilient members with the ends of said last named resilient member formed to fit and have a sliding contact with said guide surface of said first resilient member and with said first resilient member engaging the adjacent edge of the lens for free sliding contact therewith, the said means for securing said resilient members to said attachment seat being such as to rigidly support said resilient members in connected relation with said attachment seat and in positive spaced relation with each other with the cupping of one of said resilient members said resilient members to said portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens, one of saidgresilient members attached to said'portion overlying the edge of the lens having the projection on said portion fitting said guide means on said resilient member and anotherof said resilient members when in secured relation with said portion adapted to overlie the edge of the lens and when assembled with said lens being fitted to said last named resilient member with the ends of said last named resilient member formed to fit the guide means thereof. Y

LOUIS L. GAGNON. 

